Angel - Islington
The Castle
Street: 54 Pentonville Road
Operator: Youngs
Open:
11:00 - 24:00 Monday-Sunday
Map: Angel pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Angel (3 min)
Northern
About the pub:
A corner pub (junction with Baron Street), and a refurbishment/conversion from what was the “Pint Pot” to provide the current "traditional" modern, minimalist look with dark wood door facing the bar area, wooden flooring, low lighting, sofas and a roof terrace looking out at bus top-deck height.
This pub was referenced in the Hatton Garden diamond heist court case.
This was the biggest robbery in British history, and it was apparently planned at Friday night meetings in this pub! A 'Toby' relief to the top left of the Pentonville Road door indicates that this was once a Charrington's house.
Formerly named Pint Pot and Penton Arms.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
The George and Monkey (5min)
The George and Monkey
The York
Street: 82 Islington High Street
Operator: Nicholsons
Open:
12:00- 23:00 Monday-Friday
11:00-23:00 Saturday
11:00-22:30 Sunday
Map: Angel pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Angel (1min)
Northern
About the pub:
Large, busy, bustling, handsome looking, street corner pub, which confusingly looks as if it's on Upper St., an impression helped by the large outside terrace. Huge, plain windows lighten up the place, while the deep red ceiling, fireplace with mirror above, and the older back bar fittings hint at what it would have looked like in a previous age; being built in the 1850s as the York Hotel and rebuilt in the 1870s. Various photos and displays commemorate the once nearby Islington Studios, where Hitchcock began his career. These and the good-looking mirrors will no doubt be hidden when the large sports screen drops down. On the outside corner there's a fine curved display advertising sign. Food from a large menu, see their website for details and times of serving but in general all day to an hour before closing.
Grade II listing
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
Regent Canal (4min)
Canal river trust
The Island Queen
Street: 87 Noel Road
Operator: Independent
Open:
12:00-23:00 Monday-Thursday
12:00-00:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00-22:30 Sunday
Map: Angel pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Angel (9min)
Northern
About the pub:
In May 2023 a 50th Anniversary Award was made to the pub as it had been serving cask ale and been an entry in CAMRA's first Good Beer Guide and is still selling cask today. The beer then was Charrington's IPA. So one beer then and one now - but in the interim the other 3 handpmups were often in use and hopefully sales will recover to allow another cask beer to appear.
With a Grade II listing (1851) and inclusion in CAMRA's London Regional Inventory of historic pub interiors, you won't be surprised by this pub's fine interior. Although it is clear some parts are missing, the central servery and much more has survived as another marvelous celebration of pub architecture, including some impressive etched and cut glass and the Lincrusta ceiling. Quiz night Thu, upstairs lounge bar with a pool table and an outside drinking area. Huge, clear glass windows lighten the place up but, sadly, are not the originals.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
Regent Canal (2min)
Canal river trust
Wenlock Arms
Street: 26 Wenlock Road
Brewery: Independent
Open:
Closed Monday
16:00 - 23:00 Tuesday-Wednesday
12:00 - 00:00 Thursday
12:00 - 01:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:00 Sunday
Map: Angel Islington crawl
Homepage
Underground: Old Street (11min)
Northern
About the pub:
Established in 1835, and re-opened in 1994 as a real ale and jazz pub, it quickly acquired iconic status as a leading edge in the cask beer revolution. When owners Steve Barnes and Will Williams (under whom it had been North London CAMRA Pub of the Year four times) announced their intention to retire, a massive campaign by local people and CAMRA supported by Hackney Council led to the pub being eventually saved. It closed for a refurbishment of the ground floor early in 2013 and re-opened with welcome new loos.
Simple snacks menu of toasties, Pieminster pies, baked Camembert and tuna melts are served, at a price which won't break the bank. Beer menu will of course be subject to regular change, but something from a London brewery should usually be available and a mild!
Two minutes from the Regent's Canal. Five minutes from buses on City Road, 10 to 15 mins from Old St stations. A member of CAMRA's LocAle scheme. Runner-up in the North London CAMRA Pub of the Year competition 2016, Winner in 2017. Also a winner of the Cider Pub of the Year category although the range dropped off in 2021.
Up until Sept 2023 it had occasionally served beer from their own cellar - separately operated BLOCK brewery. However our understanding is that such brewing is no more.
Local listing:- This small late-Georgian public house was built in 1835. It opened as a public house in 1836. Standing beside the tow path of the Regent's Canal the early history of the pub is associated with the users of the canal and the nearby Wenlock Basin. It initially served as the brewery tap to Messrs Lane and Bowden's nearby Wenlock Brewery, a function it continued until production stopped in 1962. After a period of closure, the pub reopened under its present ownership in 1994, since which time it has acquired a reputation as one of London's leading 'real ale' houses. The Wenlock Arms is a two-storey corner building of stock brick and stucco. On the ground floor are large plate-glass windows set in moulded arched surrounds with floral decoration in the spandrels, framed by pilasters whose capitals are enriched with tiny bunches of grapes. There are three pairs of two-panel doors, those on the corner now sealed shut. The first-floor windows are segment-headed horned sashes in stucco architraves; on the north elevation a large painted stucco plaque reads 'THE WENLOCK ARMS / WINE AND SPIRIT STORES'. The roof is concealed behind a moulded cornice and parapet. To the east is a single-bay extension, similar in style and materials to the main building probably dating from the late 19th century.
The Hansbury Arms
Street: 33 Linton Street
Operator: True Pub Company
Open:
12:00 - 22:00 Monday
12:00 - 23:00 Tuesday-Thursday
12:00 - 00:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00 - 23:00 Sunday
Map: Angel Islington crawl
Homepage
Underground: Angel (17min)
Northern
About the pub:
This is a pleasant and surprisingly large street corner pub in the back streets of Islington. Originally called the Hanbury Arms. It has recently been taken over by True Pub Co., refurbished and re-opened in October 2020. It has up to 4 Real Ale Taps and 3 Rotating Craft Beer taps along with a range of world & premium beers.
It now also boasts a brand new open kitchen serving up traditional pub classics and Sunday roasts. Bottomless Brunch from 11am-3pm on Saturdays and roasts every Sunday from 12pm-6pm. Quiz every Thursday.
The Duke of Cambridge
Street: 30 ST Peters Street
Operator: Independent
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Saturday
12:00 - 18:00 Sunday
Map: Angel Islington crawl
Homepage
Underground: Angel (10min)
Northern
About the pub:
Set on a corner, the Duke is very much a gastro pub with a range of up to four organic cask beers which may come with no finings, so don't judge the beers with your eyes! There are large plain glass windows, which gives the pub a light airy feel with the dark blue ceiling being offset by the beige walls. The wooden floors and tables add to the bistro atmosphere. A smaller, more intimate eating area at the back of pub leads to a courtyard with seating.
There is additional outside seating at the front.
The Culpeper Family Hospitality Group is a group of four pubs and restaurants across East and North London - The Culpeper near Spitalfields, The Buxton on Brick Lane, The Duke of Cambridge in Islington and The Green in Clerkenwell.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
Earl of Essex
Street: 25 Danbury Street
Operator: Independent
Open:
12:00-23:00 Sunday-Thursday
12:00-00:00 Friday-Saturday
Map: Angel Islington crawl
Homepage
Underground: Angel (8min)
Northern
About the pub:
A craft beer house, 3 cask handpumps plus plenty of craft keg (up to 14 taps) which did have its own on-site brewery but this ceased operations some time ago. Following a period when all cask beers disappeared, real ale was restored in November 2015 from an ever changing list of breweries both local and national. In addtion two real ciders are served an handpump.
There is a very impressive list of bottle beers including some fine beers from Belgium. Wide food selection has been introduced, see website for full details. As with an increasing number of pubs, the use of pumpclips has been dropped and the beers and ciders on sale are listed on a large board.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
Camden Head
Street: 2 Camden Walk
Operator: Greene King
Open:
11:00-23:00 Monday-Thursday
11:00-00:00 Friday-Saturday
11:00-22:00 Sunday
Map: Angel Islington crawl
Homepage
Underground: Angel (5min)
Northern
About the pub:
A marvellous example of a Victorian pub, Grade II listed, built in 1899 and restored in 1969 by architect Richard Gradidge. It was then that the pub lost its separate bars (clearly evidenced by the three splendid entrances, albeit one's blocked off); sections of the original partitions, with the engraved faceted glass, being reused to form part of the alcoves.
The island bar remains the same with a splendid clock from Pond's of Clerkenwell and a blown glass gin bottle.
Most of the etched, bowed windows are original although some were replaced as exact replicas in 1969. Stained and painted glass panels in the function room come from a nearby, demolished pub.
Beautiful fireplace is original although tiles added during a more recent refurbishment. Waiter bell mechanism remains. Large outside terrace. Comedy club nightly free. The nearby area is packed with antiques shops and similar establishments. Beer range varies.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
Camden passage (0min)
Camden passage Islington
Slim Jim's Liquor Store (5min)
Slim Jims Liquor Store
Angel Comedy (5min)
Angel Comedy
Laki Kane Cocktail Bar (9min)
Laki Kane
